A businessman who molested a 21-year-old part-time worker at the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) convention hall was jailed for 14 weeks on Thursday.
Cornelius Khoo Hong Sin, 62, pleaded guilty to squeezing the woman’s breast while attending the Tax Free World Association exhibition at MBS convention hall on May 12 last year.
The court heard that after a male colleague of the victim introduced her to Khoo, he shook her hand and pulled it, beckoning her to sit on the couch next to him.
He then placed his arm around her back and held her close to him. She felt uncomfortable and tried to move away, but each time, Khoo prevented her from doing so.
He then told the victim’s 20-year-old colleague that she was his girlfriend. The witness said she was not.
He then molested her. She broke free, stood up and left with her colleague. She lodged a report the next day.
Highlighting aggravating factors, Deputy Public Prosecutor Stephanie Koh said the total duration of physical contact between them was “quite prolonged” and done in a public place in full view of her colleague.
Khoo’s lawyer Tan Hsuan Boon said in mitigation that his client’s actions were entirely out of character, and not pre-meditated.
He said the father of two and grandfather of one is a loving husband and a filial son, and contributes actively to the community.
Mr Tan also said his client, who has regularly attended the conference for more than 20 years without incident, is very remorseful for the distress caused. He has written a letter of apology and offered compensation to the victim who is still considering it.
Khoo could have been jailed for up to two years and fined for outrage of modesty.
Source: www.straitstimes.com
